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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Carla W. Picardo, MD¹, Shirley Burton, MPH², Holly A. Easton, DO³, and John J. Naponick, MD, MPH, CM, TM². (1) Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, CB 7521, 725 MLK Boulevard, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, 814-217-9207, picardoc@yahoo.com, (2) Office of Public Health, Region 6, Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, 6504-B Coliseum Boulevard, Alexandria, LA 71303, (3) Easton & Bates Family Practice, 2859 State Street, Suite #101, Medford, OR 97504

Background/Significance: In 1995, the Interagency Working Group (IAWG) on Reproductive Health Services for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) published recommendations for addressing the reproductive health needs of women after humanitarian and natural emergencies. Members of the IAWG included the United Nations, Centers for Disease Control, and International Red Cross. Recommendations included immediate access to emergency contraception and STI/HIV prevention for refugees and IDPs. Another was to provide access to family planning as soon as possible after a crisis.

Objective/purpose: To determine if condoms and emergency contraception was available to female evacuees within the first two weeks after Hurricane Katrina on August 29, 2005 and how soon women had access to family planning.

Methods: A sample of women of reproductive age living in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) housing in Louisiana was interviewed 7-8 months after Hurricane Katrina. Women were questioned regarding access to contraception and STI/HIV prevention within the first two weeks after the storm and when condoms and other contraception were first available.

Results: The percentage of women surveyed in FEMA housing who report they had access to condoms, emergency contraception, and other forms of contraception within the first two weeks after Hurricane Katrina will be reported, as will the average time to contraception and condom access.

Discussion: To be discussed once the study concludes April 28, 2006. Results will be discussed within the context of international recommendations and how well the United States anticipated and responded to the reproductive health needs of female evacuees after Hurricane Katrina.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Recognize at what point after Hurricane Katrina displaced women had access to family planning methods.
• Describe the availability of condoms and emergency contraception (EC) to women displaced by Hurricane Katrina.
• Discuss whether the response to family planning needs and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention was appropriate after Hurricane Katrina.

Keywords: Disasters, Reproductive Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered